The Longest Government Shutdown Ends!

The longest government shutdown in history has ended. Last Monday evening, the Senate took up the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) (H.R. 5371). Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) offered an amendment to substitute new text to incorporate three FY 2026 appropriations bills (Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs), continue funding for other government agencies at FY 2025 levels through January 30, resume federal payments to states and localities, fund back pay for government employees, reverse the layoffs of federal workers that the administration implemented during the shutdown, and prevent any reductions in the federal workforce for the duration of the CR. Before voting on the measure, the chamber rejected a few separately offered amendments:

• a Sen. Paul (R-KY) amendment to strip a provision from the Agriculture appropriations bill that prevents the unregulated sale of hemp-derived THC products;
• a Sen. Baldwin (D-WI) amendment to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits for one year, to the end of 2026; and
• a Sen. Merkley (D-OR) amendment to prohibit the use of pocket recissions (a legally untested budget maneuver that would allow the administration to cancel appropriated funds within 45 days of the end of the fiscal year without congressional approval).

The amended CR passed the Senate by a vote of 60-40, with the help of the same eight Democrats who supported the motion to proceed to consideration of the measure the night before.

The House returned to session on Wednesday following a 54-day recess. All but two Republicans – Reps. Massie (R-KY) and Steube (R-FL) – voted for the Senate-passed CR.  House Democratic leadership whipped their caucus to vote “no” on the measure because it does not address the ACA premium subsidies.  Nevertheless, six moderate Democrats representing swing districts voted for it:  Reps. Cuellar (D-TX), Davis (D-NC), Golden (D-ME), Gray (D-CA), Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Suozzi (D-NY).